Tips for a diabetic going in June?

[SueM in MN]

A lot of really great info here. I wanted to mention that if she does need more care than she and her friends can provide, she doesn't have to go to First Aid, it will come to her. There are CMs all over the park that can communicate with first aid and get help sent quickly. That might help ease her parent's minds.s

SueM in MN
Co-Moderator of disABILITIES

 

[Ninilchicken]

We went to WDW in Dec. I absolutely trust the swim case for my pump, went to Blizzard Beach with it, even after my DH accidently cracked the bracket that holds it shut. We had duct tape with us. You didn't say you planned on swimming, but you can hardly pass that up in Florida.

 

[piratesmate]

...as I haven't been on this board for a while. I have been diabetic for 30 years and on the pump for about 15 (I'm on my third one.)

The one thing I didn't see mentioned in the posts was to make sure that someone other than the diabetic student knows how to put the pump on HOLD! My adrenal response is gone & my sugar is usually around 40 before I become symptomatic. At that point, I'm not thinking clearly enough to put the pump on hold while I grab something to eat. If the sugar is dropping rapidly, those couple of minutes can really make a difference.

I noticed someone mentioned Minimed's swimproof case - I'd never seen this one! I'll have to look it up, but why don't you trust it? I was thinking it might be good at least for rides where it might get wet?? Any thoughts? Last time, I carried zip lock baggies in my pump pouch (w/ all supplies for a complete setup change, test equip, candy, med card, etc.) I just took off the pump right before we got to the head of the line & put it in the bag. Between the exercise change, the heat & the sun, I never had difficulty with my sugar going too high because I turned off the pump for the length of a ride.

I would advise the student to check with her doctor about hourly boluses when swimming. I did this automatically for years before the doctor told me that it was unnecessary unless I was going to be without the pump for 4+ hours. He said that the swimming - even just standing around in the water - was enough to counteract the need for that period of time. Obviously, it is dependent upon the basal rate - so the advice will vary between individuals.

I have another question...why does Humalog need to be kept in the frig? My pharmacy told me that it can be kept out of the frig for up to 28 days. Did I miss something in the literature? <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

 

[lisapooh]

The literature recommends keeping humalog as cool as possible but not freezing. Under 86 degrees. The temperatures in Central Florida and south will start going into the 90s in May (maybe some in April) Therefore refrigeration is necesssary.
Users in Florida have found that from Mid-April to Mid October it is better to refrigerate Humalog than risk insulin that is not up to strength. I have had Humalog go bad in less than 10 days down here in the summer.
Literture or not, experience tells the tale.

Pooh Bear

 

[piratesmate]

The last time we were at WDW I was using Velosulin, which kept fine in the air-conditioned room. I always carried enough for a full setup in my fanny pack, but used it up every other day & replaced. I'm glad for the first hand info! Being from PA, the doctor's don't mention this - & probably don't realize it.

I also read that there is a problem filling syringes in the air, due to air pressure problems. Does anyone know if this problem affects a pump? I would tend to think not, as it is a closed system, but...???